"Your children…"
Ivan's voice paused for a moment, as if the words themselves were too heavy to leave his mouth.
Mahira's eyes didn't move.
They were steady, calm… almost unnaturally calm.
There was no fear in them.
Only waiting.
It was the kind of look someone had when they had already prepared themselves to hear the worst possible truth.
"Your children are safe."
For a few seconds, the air between them felt completely still.
Mahira spoke slowly.
"What do you mean?"
Her voice was quiet, but there was no tremor in it.
Ivan held her gaze for a moment before answering.
"We had to fake their deaths."
Mahira inhaled deeply.
For a brief second, moisture gathered in her eyes… but it disappeared before it could fall.
Prison had not taught her how to cry.
It had taught her how to survive.
"How are they?" she asked quietly.
"Where are they?"
"They're somewhere safe," Ivan replied. "Living under new identities. Kevin knows everything."
Kevin.
The moment that name was spoken, a faint shadow crossed Mahira's face.
"He's still… abroad?"
Ivan nodded.
"Yes. It was his idea to send the children far away. Your mother-in-law poisoned their minds so badly that they started believing you were the enemy."
Mahira's jaw tightened slightly.
Ivan continued.
"When Kevin found out that she had filled their hearts with hatred for you… he lost control."
Ivan gave a dry laugh.
"I've never seen him that angry before. He was ready to kill them."
Mahira's eyes widened slightly.
"I was the one who stopped him," Ivan said.
"I told him this is your battle, Lady Boss. And only you deserve to take revenge for what was done to you."
Only after that had Kevin managed to calm down.
"But there's one thing he still doesn't know," Ivan added quietly.
"He doesn't know that you were released four years ago."
Mahira said nothing.
Slowly, her fingers curled into a tight fist.
Ivan broke the silence again.
"There's another piece of bad news, Lady Boss."
"Kunal Kapoor is coming back to India."
He paused.
"And knowing him… he's probably planning another game."
The moment Mahira heard that name, a cold glint appeared in her eyes.
Ten years in prison…
She hadn't just hardened her body.
She had sharpened her patience.
She had nurtured her anger.
She had turned herself into a weapon.
"So now what?" Ivan asked.
Mahira's voice was as cold as ice.
"Now…"
Her eyes darkened.
"Now I play the game."
Meanwhile — Abroad
Night had fallen.
In front of the glass wall of a towering skyscraper stood a tall figure.
Kevin.
Thirty-two years old.
Nearly six feet tall, with broad shoulders and the build of a trained boxer.
Beneath his black T-shirt, the outline of strong muscles was clearly visible. The veins on his arms stood out sharply.
His face looked almost sculpted.
Sharp jawline. Deep eyes. Hair pushed back neatly.
There was always a strange calmness in his gaze.
Kevin was not a man who spoke much.
And when he did…
Every word was carefully chosen.
Since childhood, he had learned to hide his emotions behind silence.
He stood there watching the city lights below.
But his mind was somewhere else entirely.
Suddenly—
His phone rang.
The screen flashed a name.
Ivan.
Kevin answered immediately.
"Yes."
For a few seconds, there was silence on the other side.
Then Ivan spoke.
"She was released four years ago."
Kevin's fingers tightened around the phone.
His face remained expressionless.
But something deep inside his eyes shifted.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You needed to stay away," Ivan replied.
Silence followed.
Then Kevin spoke again.
"Book the ticket."
A pause.
"I'm coming."
There was no urgency in his voice.
But the decision had already been made.
The Next Morning
A black car stopped outside the same isolated bungalow.
The driver stepped out and opened the door.
Kevin got out.
His walk wasn't hurried.
But every step carried determination.
The gate opened automatically.
Inside, the same cold silence greeted him.
The same garage.
The same boxing ring.
As Kevin walked toward the stairs, his eyes fell on a photograph hanging on the wall.
He stopped.
For a moment, he simply stared at it.
Then he walked upstairs.
Upstairs
Soft light filled the room.
Mahira stood near the window.
She had already recognized the sound of footsteps behind her.
"You finally came."
Her voice was calm.
But the moment she turned—
Everything changed.
Without hesitation, Mahira walked straight toward Kevin and wrapped her arms around him.
For a moment, Kevin froze.
Then slowly… he held her back.
Years of distance.
Years of silence.
Years of unanswered emotions.
All of it collapsed into that single moment.
Kevin looked at her carefully.
Ten years in prison…
Yet she hadn't broken.
If anything, she looked stronger.
More dangerous.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Kevin asked quietly.
Mahira met his eyes.
"Because there's still a lot left to finish."
Then suddenly she remembered something.
"My children."
Her voice became urgent.
"How are they? Where are they? Are they safe?"
The questions came one after another.
Kevin sighed dramatically.
"Hey… slow down."
He held up his hands.
"Take a breath first."
Mahira glared at him.
Kevin smiled.
That familiar mischievous smile.
The same one he used to have when they were teenagers.
"You haven't changed at all," he said.
Mahira crossed her arms.
"Answer the question."
"The kids are in Australia," Kevin said gently.
"They're safe."
Relief softened Mahira's eyes.
"You did so much for me…"
Kevin began.
Mahira immediately covered his mouth with her hand.
"Don't."
Her voice turned firm.
"You know exactly why I did what I did."
She pointed a finger at him.
"And if you bring it up again… I'll break your face."
Kevin burst out laughing.
Taking her hand in his, he said,
"Alright, Lady Gaga. I won't mention it again. Promise."
Mahira stared at him.
After so many years, she was seeing him this closely again.
A strange shiver ran through her.
How could someone be this handsome?
Kevin noticed her staring.
A teasing smile appeared on his face.
"What happened, sweetheart?"
He leaned slightly closer.
"Don't tell me you've fallen in love with me."
Mahira quickly looked away.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"That's not it," she said quickly.
"You've just changed… a lot."
Then she added quietly,
"By the way… why didn't anyone come to see me? Not even you."
Kevin laughed softly.
"Come on," he said.
"We grew up together. Childhood friends. Same neighborhood. Same school."
He smirked.
"We spent half our childhood fighting and the other half making fun of each other."
Mahira rolled her eyes.
"That's because you were annoying."
Kevin pretended to look offended.
"And then," he continued dramatically,
"you selfishly went and got married."
He stopped.
The realization hit him instantly.
Mahira noticed.
"Why did you stop?" she asked softly.
Kevin didn't know what to say.
Silence filled the room.
Mahira gently held his hands.
She made him sit on the bed and handed him a glass of water.
"That was my past," she said quietly.
"Yes… it hurt."
"But it's over now."
Her voice hardened.
"And if it ever comes back…"
Her eyes darkened.
"This time I'll kill it with my own hands."
Kevin stepped closer and hugged her from behind.
"I'm sorry," he said softly.
"I shouldn't have said that."
Mahira sighed.
"That's fine…"
Then she frowned slightly.
"But why are you sticking to me like this?"
Just then—
The door suddenly opened.
Ivan walked in.
He froze.
Then immediately turned around.
"Sorry! Sorry! I didn't see anything!"
Mahira called out immediately.
"Stop right there. Where are you going?"
Ivan slowly turned back with a grin.
"Lady Boss… my mistake."
He raised his hands dramatically.
"I didn't know you two would start a romantic scene in broad daylight."
Kevin grabbed his ear.
"Shut up. That's not what you think."
"Ow! Boss! Leave my ear!"
Mahira burst out laughing.
"Why are you bullying the poor kid?"
Kevin snorted.
"Kid? He's twenty-five."
Mahira shrugged.
"He's seven years younger than you."
Ivan rubbed his ear dramatically.
"What kind of torture is this?"
Then he suddenly grinned.
"Anyway, Lady Boss… I have a serious question."
Mahira raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Ivan looked at both of them.
"When are you two getting married?"
"WHAT?!"
Both of them spoke at the same time.
Ivan shrugged.
"Think about it."
"If that man finds out Lady Boss is out of prison… he won't stop chasing her."
He paused.
"But if you two get married…"
A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
"He'll think a hundred times before even trying to touch her."
Silence filled the room.
Mahira and Kevin looked at each other.
In Kevin's eyes—
A faint spark of happiness.
In Mahira's eyes—
A storm of conflict.